The striker was at his rampaging best for Manchester United last Saturday, scoring twice in a 4-1 win.

And while Gerrard was delighted to see his pal in such devastating form, he admitted to a fear that Rooney might have been peaking a week too early for England's Euro 2008 ambitions.

"I was watching the Bolton game and seeing Wazza up against Ben Haim and playing so well," recalled Gerrard.

"But I was thinking to myself, 'You'd best save that for when England play against him. Take it easy for Man United and do it for England'.

"When I do watch Man United, I do tend to concentrate on what Wayne does, where he makes his runs so that I can try and exploit that when I am playing with him for England. It is great to have him back fit.

"Wayne has come into a bit of form of late and that is great news for me playing alongside him."

Gerrard's friendship with Rooney is well documented, a shared background in Merseyside having fostered a special relationship that should have brought more joy in an England shirt. It means Gerrard will always defend his fellow Scouser and despite the dramatic end to Rooney's World Cup campaign, the Liverpool midfielder will not hear a word said against him.

"Wayne has played really well for England," insisted Gerrard. "He was fantastic in Euro 2004.

"It was really difficult for him in the World Cup because he was injured and there was a lot of pressure on him.

"He is one of the best in the world, he has a great future ahead of him and it is just great to have him 100 per cent fit and available because he could win us these two games on his own."

The same could be said of Gerrard who has almost single-handedly won the Champions League and the FA Cup for Liverpool in the past two seasons.

But as he prepares to win his 54th cap tomorrow, there have been few occasions in which he has rampaged through the England midfield in the same manner as in his club shirt.

Gerrard agreed with the suggestion, but added: "International football is more difficult than club and Champions League football.

"Maybe it is the case because you are playing with the same people week in, week out. You get a lot more chance to work on situations with your club whereas it's bits and bobs with England.

"I love playing for England. It hurts an awful lot when you don't get the right results."